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Blunting Effect
Boring
Certified Source
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Abrasion
Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Pygeum africanum

Trade Name
Mueri

Family Name
Rosaceae

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Araruet, Bios de fer, Bitter Almond, Bitter amandel, Chati, Cherry, Dumizulu, Gyabizito, Iron wood, Kunukwa, Mgoturie, Mkomohoyo, Mkondekonde, Mseneo, Muchambati, Muchati, Muer, Mueri, Mueria, Mugote, Mutimailu, Mwiritsa, Ngote, Ngwabuzito, Ntasesa, Ol-koijuk, Omumba, Oromotet, Plum, Prunus africanum, Pypeum, Red ivory, Red stinkwood, Rode stinkhout, Tenduet, Tenetuet, Tungururiet, Twenduet

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Angola, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zimbabwe

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Bearings & bushings, Bent Parts, Boat building (general), Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Construction, Decks, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Fine furniture, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mine timbers, Office furniture, Parquet flooring, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Stools, Sub-flooring, Tables, Tool handles, Truck bodies, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Wardrobes, Wheel spokes, Wheels

Environmental Profile
Abundant/Secure
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center

This species is rather secure within its natural habitat in most areas including Kenya and Uganda, but it is officially classified as Vulnerable in Cameroon. Its status in the wild is listed as unknown due to insufficient information in Angola, Equitorial Guinea, Tanzania, Zaire, and in the transkei region in South Africa

Distribution Overview
The species occurs primarily in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zaire, and grows in semi-tropical rain forests at elevations of 5000 to 9000 feet (1525 to 2745 m).

Heartwood Color
Black
Brown
Yellow
Pink
Red
Pale red to pink
Reddish brown
Pale red when freshly cut, but ages to a rich red color
Greenish to greyish
Dark brown


Sapwood Color
White
Brown
Red
Pinkish
Paler than heartwood
White to yellow
Pale pink
Color not distinct from heartwood


Grain
Interlocked
Straight
Figure
Variable (figure)
Even
Growth rings (figure)


Texture
Medium
Coarse
Medium
Fine to medium
Fine


Luster
Dull


Natural Durability
Very durable
Non durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Perishable
Durable
Very low natural resistance to decay and attack by termites
Very durable
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Good resistance to the adverse effects of weather

Woods with very low natural resistance may decay in less than 5 years if used in contact with the ground without any chemical protection

Odor
Has an odor
No specific smell or taste


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed
UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3
US=T3-C2/T3-C1
UK=C
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow

Kiln-Drying is believed to be non-economical since the material requires long periods of mild schedules.

Drying Defects
Collapse
Internal Honeycombing Possible
Checking
Ring Shakes
Discoloration
Splitting
Moderate end spitting
Moderate twist/warp
Moderate collapse and honeycombing
Severe end splitting
Severe twisting/warping
Moderate surface checking
Collapse

Timber dries slowly and is liable to split and distort, especially in large sizes

Ease of Drying
Slowly
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Thick Stock Requires Care
Difficult
Dries slowly


Kiln Drying Rate
Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is buttressed
Bole/stem form is straight


Tree Size
Tree height is 30-40 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm


Certified Source
Certified Source


Blunting Effect
Moderate
There is some significant blunting effect on cutting tools
Blunting effect on machining is moderate


Boring
Very good to excellent results
Fairly easy to very easy


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Easy to saw
Bores cleanly at slow speed


Gluing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to glue


Mortising
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to mortise


Moulding
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Poor to Very Poor Results
Easy to mould
Good finishing results


Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement


Nailing
Pre-Boring Recommended
Fair to Good Results
Difficult to nail
Tends to split when nailed near the edges


Planing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane
Difficult to plane

The timber works easily planing, turning, boring, and other machining operations. It responds readily to both most machine tools, but it has some blunting effect on cutting edges.

Resistance to Abrasion
High


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant sapwood
Permeable sapwood
Resistant heartwood
Heartwood is resistant

The material is resistant to creosote impregnation, but incising would improve penetration.

Resistance to Splitting
Poor


Response to Hand Tools
Responds Readily
Easy to machine
Responds well
Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges


Routing & Recessing
Routing is easy
Routing yields good results


Sanding
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Good characteristics


Screwing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Turning
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to turn
Good results


Veneering Qualities
Veneers easily


Steam Bending
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Polishing
Satisfactory results
Good results


Staining
Fair to Good Results
Finish is generally satisfactory
Finish is generally good


Varnishing
Good results


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Max. crushing strength = high
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Hardness (side grain) = hard
Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Max. crushing strength = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high
Max. crushing strength = low
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu. ft
Weight = very high
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Max. crushing strength = very high
High in density
Hardness (side grain) = very hard
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = very high


Compression strength parallel to grain or maximum crushing strength is higher than in Teak or Hard maple. It is hard and superior to Teak and probably Mahogany
Much stronger than Teak in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content).

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength952415983psi
Density47lbs/ft3
Hardness1955lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength53728510psi
Shearing Strength2404psi
Stiffness149117561000 psi
Work to Maximum Load15inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.570.61
Weight4840lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage9%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength6691123kg/cm2
Density753kg/m3
Hardness886kg
Maximum Crushing Strength377598kg/cm2
Shearing Strength169kg/cm2
Stiffness1041231000 kg/cm2
Work to Maximum Load1.05cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.570.61
Weight769641kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48

Battiscombe, E., Dale, I.R.,1936,Trees and Shrubs of Kenya Colony,Govt. Printer Nairobi

Bois, P.J.,1966,The Strength Properties of Tanzania Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note, No.35

Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research

Brehme, K., et al,1967,Timbers of Ethiopia No.5 Ironwood (Pygeum africanum,Haile Sellassie Univ. Addis Ababa Forestry Res.Inst.

Brenan, J.P.M., Greenway, P.J.,1949,Check-lists of the Forest Trees and Shrubs of the British Empire,Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford No.5 Tanganyika Territories Part 2

Bryce, J.M.,1967,Commercial Timbers of Tanzania,Tanzanian Forestry Division Util. Sec. Moshi

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda

Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO

Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment

France - C.T.F.T.,1973,Investigations and Tests carried out on Tropical Timber by several,Research Laboratories,CTFT

Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9

Grant, D.K.S.,1934,Some Local Timbers,Tanzania Forest Department

HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R. H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Lavers, G. M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.

Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)

Logan, W.E.M.,1946,An Introduction to the Forests of Central and Southern Ethiopia,Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford Paper No.24

Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi.

Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23

Scott, M.H.,1935,Weights of South African Growth Timbers,South African Department of Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin,No.145,Forest Products Institute, Forestry Series No.1

Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3

Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda

Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7

Tanzania Forest Department,1960,The Natural Durability of Local Timbers,Tanzanian Forest Dept. Tech. Note,No.14

Tanzania Forest Division,1966,Kiln Drying Schedules for Tanzania Timbers Technical Note no.38,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi

Tanzania Forest Division,1967,Pygeum africanum (Mkomotoyo,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec.,Moshi - Timbers of Tanganyika

Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1

Uganda Forest Department,1969,The Shrinkage of Some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet,No.47

Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya









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